IntroductionSubstitute RequirementsMiscellaneousList of Substitutes and AlternativesAppendix

Preface -

Historically, this book was started about 40 years ago. At that time, the cosmetic, drug and flavor industries were seeking substitutes for glycerin and ethyl alcohol-for economic reasons and to avoid the red tape connected with the buying, storage, use, and selling of alcohol and alcoholic products. Fair substitutes were developed for both of these products, but when the price of glycerin was stabilized at a reasonable figure, these substitutes were almost completely forgotten.

Over a period of years, this writer has developed substitutes or alternatives for numerous products in diverse industrial fields. Thus, a file of such materials has been built up. To this has been added the suggestions of others and references from scientific and technical journals and texts.

This book cannot be regarded as complete or encyclopediac. The subject matter is in a state of flux and is growing and changing continuously. It should be useful to many as a starting point. It should not be expected to give the final answer to a highly specialized need. It is the task of the specialist or expert to glean from it what may be applicable and to interpret, interpolate, or "imagineer" a solution to his specific problem.

Condensation, rather than elaboration, has been the precept in assembling this information, in order to expedite the publication of this book. It is the concentrated essence of many years of experience of many chemists, engineers, and other technical workers.